It was part of a focus group. Originally, the headphones were supposed to go to the focus group well before the public release of the headphones, but it got held up a bit. As it turned out, though, by the time the participants in the focus group got the headphones (which I think some did before its public release), and then had the chance to listen to and evaluate them, the DNA Pro was on the shelves. Because the original focus group schedule was supposed to be earlier than it turned out in actuality, the participants were asked not to discuss the headphones prior to its release. I didn't communicate clearly to the participants that the headphone was indeed actually out by the time they'd had a chance to spend some real time with them, only because I wasn't 100% clear on what the actual embargo date was.

Only when pre-release embargoes are involved is there any need to clear a review's posting date/time. Sorry for the confusion, Mad Lust Envy.

Looks like I'll finally get to hear the E7. Picked up a used one on Amazon for $22.88 shipped. If nothing else it will replace my ELE-D02 at the office. But I may also use it for gaming until my Geek Pulse comes later this year.

It was part of a focus group. Originally, the headphones were supposed to go to the focus group well before the public release of the headphones, but it got held up a bit. As it turned out, though, by the time the participants in the focus group got the headphones (which I think some did before its public release), and then had the chance to listen to and evaluate them, the DNA Pro was on the shelves. Because the original focus group schedule was supposed to be earlier than it turned out in actuality, the participants were asked not to discuss the headphones prior to its release. I didn't communicate clearly to the participants that the headphone was indeed actually out by the time they'd had a chance to spend some real time with them, only because I wasn't 100% clear on what the actual embargo date was.

Only when pre-release embargoes are involved is there any need to clear a review's posting date/time. Sorry for the confusion, Mad Lust Envy.

No prob, Jude. Even with that delay I still didn't manage to get around to editing the last bit of changes, lol.

On the review of the dt770 pro, you say it would be very good for gaming but the bass lets it down. If you are gaming on PC and have the luxury of EQ'ing the base to be very low, would they be worthy of top competitive gaming headphones?

With that in mind, what would you consider best for gaming/music out of these two? I already have creative sound card for EQ

Just got my TB DSS 1 in the mail today. I gotta say for what I have heard so far I am pleasantly surprised. I really did not have much hope for this little thing but it does work decently well. So far my only complaint is that when using them with my brothers modded grados sr60is the volume control sucks. Its gets loud pretty fast on the dial with these headphones. It probably wont be an issue when connecting it to my Project Ember amp, and alpha dogs. Also there was quite a bit of sibilance in the girls voice from Battlefield 4, however the grados are a harsh headphone so it may not have been the DSS's fault.

After researching and mulling my options over I've currently settled on the Q701 for $200 (instead of some AD700 I was originally leaning towards). I want headphones with a strong emphasis in competitive FPS gameplay but I like how the Q701 are just a touch more fun than something like the old AD700's. Since I'm about ready to purchase is there anything else I should consider? Is there anything coming out soon that's worth waiting for? I can go up to around $250.

On the review of the dt770 pro, you say it would be very good for gaming but the bass lets it down. If you are gaming on PC and have the luxury of EQ'ing the base to be very low, would they be worthy of top competitive gaming headphones?

With that in mind, what would you consider best for gaming/music out of these two? I already have creative sound card for EQ

A) DT 770 PRO 80 + Fiio E18

B) ATH-M50 + ATH700x + Fiio E5

I would think the DT770 Pro 80-Ohm headphones would be an improvement on the ATH-M50 and do decently well for surround sound gaming.

After researching and mulling my options over I've currently settled on the Q701 for $200 (instead of some AD700 I was originally leaning towards). I want headphones with a strong emphasis in competitive FPS gameplay but I like how the Q701 are just a touch more fun than something like the old AD700's. Since I'm about ready to purchase is there anything else I should consider? Is there anything coming out soon that's worth waiting for? I can go up to around $250.

The Q701 is amazing form competitive gaming. Go ahead and make the purchase with confidence. Just make sure you power them accordingly.

Hey guys, I'm back! There have been like 25 new pages since last time (and, I see, a new MLE review! Nice one Mad, tho FYI being "adamant" about something is to stick to your guns about something... I'm often adamant, despite my name, lol).

Anything I miss, or need to respond to? Btw, the SB Z must be mailed back soon, so I'll be forced to set up the Omni. Lol. Work has finally begun slowing down.

Ooh snap!
Well, if I put the K712 as a 10 for fav gaming headphone, I would put the Q701 at 9.5 (needs tube amp to create depth of image), MA900 at 8.5 for gaming (great imaging and surround, but were more dull for me), the AD700 at about 8 (lean bass and some treble grain but otherwise have a fair helping of surround special sauce for their price), the M100 is at 7 or 6.5 (surprising imaging for closed can, more interesting than MA900 tho not as natural imaging, bass-weighted sound, long-term comfort and bass-fatigue issues for me, but totally a serviceable closed can) about tied with the Koss KSC75 sound (different character tho), stereo gaming with my decent Sony desktop speakers at about a 3 (good and comfortable, but without surround is like playing with one arm tied behind my back, not as good separation between sounds as with headphones), and finally the speakers built-in to my Panasonic TV at about .5 or something (not fun, not competitive because it's basically mono sound, audio is more like an alert rather than a radar or alternate-environment).

That's just a relative order based just on what I'd like to use for gaming, without extensively breaking it all down. The M-100 wins a place in my collection as a good closed headphone, that's it's biggest stand-out in this line-up but it's sound is fundamentally good.

My take may differ from Mad's... I agree with his AD700 Amazon review, but I'd wager that he'd place the M-100 above the AD700 and a bit below the ma900 based on enjoying gaming with the M-100. I'll have to send them to him sometime, but I don't want to make shipping a hardship :PEdited by Evshrug - 1/26/14 at 11:31pm

Eh, neoooooooooooh... It's gonna come down to personal taste, sonically they're close, but you may value the K712's differences more than the quantity of difference. The K712 is "there" for me, but the q701 is "very nearly there."

I don't think the price difference is worth it, but on the other hand I often feel happy enough with the K712 sound even without a special amp and careful tube rolling: I've lately been using the K712 plugged straight into my DSS and SoundBlaster Z without double-amping, which is worth considering (it still scales up with equipment). I only jumped on the K712 because I got it on sale, but if money was tight I'd sell it and keep the Q701 (or give the K612 a try, I really want to). If you find the K712 on sale, it may be worth it long-term.Edited by Evshrug - 1/26/14 at 11:29pm

I only jumped on the K712 because I got it on sale, but if money was tight I'd sell it and keep the Q701 (or give the K612 a try, I really want to). If you find the K712 on sale, it may be worth it long-term.

I still don't understand why you still have BOTH the Q701 and K712. It doesn't make sense to me to keep both of them around, when you can swap pads and get very nearly the same effect as owning both - but for much, much cheaper.

If it were me, I would keep the K712, sell the Q701, then buy Q701 pads.

Because I'm bad about selling things, once I own them. Also stuff like wanting to try to hear the difference of a pad swap before I sell one, but by the time I get home from work I don't feel like mucking around and just want to jump straight into playing a game.